Colts come up short against West

Shogun Conference Biggar Colts 12 West of Scotland U18 17

Following the dreadful news about his involvement in a car accident mid-week, Jordan Gray was absent from the team and awaiting surgery to repair broken bones. This is a massive loss to the team but, most importantly, Jordan will be around to tell us all the tale when he gets home. The Colts wish Jordan all the very best and a speedy recovery.

The dull thud of last weeks defeat at the hands of Ayr left a nasty taste in the mouth but in truth it's always a challenge for coaches to establish real continuity when you have players away on other duties.

West were decisive from the kick-off and didn't waste any time in getting the scoreboard going with a converted try after 3 minutes. The visitors were playing with intensity. Take heed Biggar.....your opponents are well and truly up for this.

Biggar didn't realise at this point, but the next 67 minutes would be full of set-backs, and dull thuds. The first one of those saw the premature departure of Lewis Stewart who had to leave the field after 5 minutes following a meaty challenge with his opposite back rower (suspected Collar bone). Colts pulled together swiftly and Matthew Stewart's try on 8 mins displayed true quality. The precise and simple nature of the move from the set piece scrum on the West 22 was a joy to watch. It was built on defiance, attitude and opportunism. A real team effort.

But after that the game turned frantic and disjointed, however Biggar were still advancing and with good numbers too. Drew Brewster's line breaks were effective which put West on the back foot and saw them penalised for not rolling away. Steele pulled the place kick.

Biggar pushed forward again and tried to recycle the ball quickly. West not 10. Another penalty. Another miss from the tee. Most definitely out of character for the full-back.

A lot of the game was played in the middle of the pitch and no one had any real control. It was West that pulled away at the end of the first half with a penalty kick to bring the score line to 5-10.

Biggar's early efficiency had melted into uncertainty. When Steele's penalty kick to touch earned them a throw five metres from the West line it was as if they could just help themselves to the ball.

Biggar conceded a rash of penalties in front of their posts and West exploited the mistakes to score another converted try to extend their lead. It was symbolic of a second half that deteriorated into a fractious affair and to add to the frustration Colts lost scrum-half Finlay Barr to an ankle injury. Wallis deputised.

There was a glimmer of hope because the most of the second half was played fairly well in the West half but there remained uncertainty and imprecision. That hope took another blow when Andrew Reid was knocked out and had to be stretchered off.

Biggar had to bring something to the party and eventually did with a good period of pressure and a healthy mix of vim and vigour. Daniel McConkey and Craig Frame showing leadership in the pack and moving forward at every opportunity.

Scott Paton nailed his first try of the season by crashing over the line to close the gap to 5 points. It may not have been as pretty as the first try but that didn't matter. The forward had a bit of work to do and showed strength and determination. Ali Steele added the extras.

A possible victory could be had although the clock was ticking down. Too little, too late. Biggar couldn't capitalise on the territory they had and it was nothing like enough to close things out. The game ended with that same bitter taste sampled the week previous. West would need scraped off the ceiling with delight and only their second win of the season. Biggar would be left climbing the walls!